The ACT Government will establish an Active Transport Office to enable more Canberrans to choose walking and cycling as their mode of transport and ensure better integration of transport modes across the city.

“Active transport must be a major part of Canberra’s transport future if we are to be a healthy and vibrant city. It is one of the keys to ensuring Canberra is a city that values and prioritises people and helps them get around,” said Minister Assisting the Chief Minister on Transport Reform, Shane Rattenbury.

“The new Active Transport Office will operate as a single point of contact for walking and cycling issues and will include the creation of an ‘Active Transport Coordinator’ who will be a high profile public contact on these issues.

“This will ensure a continued focus on walking and cycling, and ensure there is a clear framework for active transport infrastructure and planning for the Territory.

ACT Greens MLA, Shane Rattenbury, says the ACT should have privacy zones around fertility control and reproductive health clinics to allow women to freely access safe and legal medical procedures without fear of condemnation or interference.

"The ACT Greens will be looking into legislation to create a privacy zone to ensure women are able to access the health services that they are entitled to in privacy, similar to existing laws in Tasmania,” said Mr Rattenbury.

“Recent protests outside an ACT Heath building have again highlighted the need for changes that enable women to seek this legal and medically-safe procedure.

ACT Greens MLA, Shane Rattenbury, today welcomed the announcement that the Uriarra Solar Farm will relocate from Uriarra to Williamsdale, and called for the establishment of a buffer zone to protect Uriarra from future development that may compromise its rural village status.

“I am pleased that Elementus Energy has worked with the Government to look at other site options, and I believe moving the solar farm to Williamsdale will deliver a win-win for both solar energy and the Uriarra community,” said Mr Rattenbury.

“The residents of Uriarra have been consistent in their opposition and concern about the location of the solar farm, and the process used to select the site, however have always been supportive of solar projects going ahead.

“Now is the time for planning changes to be put in place to ensure that the Uriarra Village doesn’t find itself facing inappropriate development that may undermine the village atmosphere for residents.

“This could be done by establishing a formal buffer zone around the rural village, such as that which exists around Hall to protect the character of the village, and to provide clear guidance about potential developments inside that buffer.

“The Uriarra Solar proposal was difficult for both the proponent and the residents, and I am glad that a viable solution has been found that ensures a good outcome for everyone involved.

“I’m especially pleased that the ACT’s third large solar farm is still on track, an important part of meeting our 90% renewable energy target,” said Mr Rattenbury.

ACT Greens MLA, Shane Rattenbury, today launched a petition calling on the Federal Government to repeal the Euthanasia Laws Act 1997, which prevents the ACT from legislating for euthanasia.

“The people of the ACT should have the same rights as other Australian citizens. The Commonwealth restriction discriminates against the Territories and treats the people of the ACT as second-class citizens,” said Mr Rattenbury.

“This isn’t just about euthanasia; this is about restricting the ACT’s right to govern for our own community. Today I am asking the people of the ACT to take a stand with me and demand that the Commonwealth gives us back our Territory rights.

“The ACT Greens do believe that at the end of their life, at a time that is deeply personal and meaningful, and often involves pain and suffering, the people of the ACT should have the right to die with dignity, how and when they choose.

“But right now the ACT is subject to an undemocratic and discriminatory restriction that prevents us creating our own laws on this matter in the Legislative Assembly.

I rise today to draw the Assembly’s attention to the fact that today, 18 February, is the 20th anniversary of the ACT Greens being elected to the Legislative Assembly of the ACT. For 20 years, since February 1995, the ACT Greens have had continual representation in the Assembly.

Over that period we have worked hard to represent the people of Canberra who want to ensure that human rights, environmental rights, animal rights, and a sustainable and democratic future are a key part of the ACT agenda.

We are a city full of people who work hard and think hard about the policy issues that face Australians and how best to solve the problems facing the most vulnerable and those who do not have a voice. As a result, we have a progressive town; we have a voting population who expect that their local government will not only stand up for their rights but also for what is right.

ACT Greens MLA, Shane Rattenbury will today bring forward a motion in the Assembly calling on the Government to develop a policy to support live music and events in our community.

“Live music and events are an integral part of the life of our city, and essential for our increasingly vibrant and culturally diverse community,” said Mr Rattenbury.

“As more and more people are living in our city and town centres, music venues are under pressure from increasing complaints about noise from local residents. The recent examples where daytime jazz music has been pushed out of the cultural precinct at New Acton, bring this issue into focus.

“In 2009, the ACT Greens instigated an Assembly inquiry into live community events. In 2015 there are still many opportunities to implement the recommendations of that inquiry to support live music and events in our community.

Submissions close this Friday (13 February) for the ACT Legislative Assembly inquiry into the use of cannabis for medical purposes said ACT Greens MLA, Shane Rattenbury.

Mr Rattenbury introduced draft legislation into the Assembly last year which would give those suffering from certain chronic and terminal illnesses access to cannabis as a treatment. The draft legislation and discussion paper were sent to committee, which is due to report back in June this year.

“The public discourse has grown substantially over recent months, but there remains no progress on policy. The public understands the need and the importance of granting access to those suffering and in pain and our laws need to adapt,” said Mr Rattenbury.